Best Buy to host Pre "trial launch" on June 7

Even more Palm Pre rumors have scurried from the floorboards of the Internet. Should any of it prove to be true, it could solve two longstanding mysteries surrounding the smartphone: its exact price and launch date.

According to an unnamed source quoted by the Boy Genius Report, Best Buy will be given a limited quantity of Palm’s latest handset for a “trial launch” on June 7. The delivery is said to consist of some 4,500 units which will come direct from Sprint and arrive at retail outlets a day before it is to be available.

While it was previously believed that the Pre would have an MSRP of $549 and run a new customer $150 when paired with a two-year service agreement, the unnamed source brings word to the contrary. The latest speculation is that new customers bound to the 2-year contract will be handed a Pre for $199.99 and existing customers will be able to upgrade for $299.99. To bag a contract-free Pre, however, you’ll have to pony up a smooth $1,000.

Again, it’s all hearsay. That said though, how much is too much? Would you be willing to shell out $1k for a Pre? Keep in mind that a recent teardown report concluded that each Pre only costs about $138 to build.